Jordan Eberle.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

Canadian world junior star Jordan Eberle broke out of a mini-slump, while one of his teammates on the silver-medal winning squad also captured hot player of the week honours. Meanwhile, statement games headline the week ahead in the Canadian Hockey League.

Western Hockey League

Hot team: Kelowna Rockets

The defending league champions are making things interesting in the crowded Western Conference standings. Kelowna reeled off another three wins last week to bring its winning streak to nine games. The Rockets trail Vancouver by 10 points for first in the B.C. Division. The division champs will likely earn the second seed in the conference.

Hot player: Jordan Eberle, Regina Pats

Last week's cold player shone in four contests in the first week of February. Eberle had four goals and three assists for seven points and a plus-1 rating. In spite of his individual success, his team won just once while losing the first three in shootouts. Eberle is two points behind Vancouver's Craig Cunningham for first in league scoring.

Cold team: Seattle Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds couldn't break out of their funk in a home-and-home with the Portland Winterhawks. Seattle lost both games by identical 6-3 finals and has not won in its past 11 games. The Thunderbirds' last win came against the rebuilding Prince George Cougars on Jan. 9. At this rate, Seattle is a long shot for the playoffs.

Cold player: Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen

Kozun failed to make up ground in the scoring race after being held without a point in each of his team's three games. It was the first time Kozun failed to pick up a point in three-consecutive games since his rookie season. He trails Cunningham by six points in the heated battle for the league's scoring crown this season.

Game of the week: Kelowna Rockets vs. Everett Silvertips, Wednesday

The Rockets will have another big test when they travel to Everett for the fifth of six meetings with the Silvertips. Everett leads the season series with a record of 3-1. Kelowna is the league's hottest team while the Silvertips are also on fire with eight wins in their last 10 games. Kelowna will need some big performances against other elite Western Conference foes in order to obtain home ice in the first round of the playoffs. Everett enters the week 11 points ahead of the defending champs.

Québec Major Junior Hockey League

Hot team: Shawinigan Cataractes

Although the Cataractes aren't the same veteran-laden squad as they were a year ago, this team is showing plenty of moxie of late. Shawinigan's winning-streak hit six games after another three wins last week. Sophomore forward Michael Bournival is coming into his own offensively this season, notching two goals and six assists in last week's three wins.

Hot player: Jordan Caron, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

Caron is doing his best to shoulder the offensive load after teammate Patrice Cormier was suspended for the balance of the season and playoffs. Caron scored four goals and five assists for nine points with a plus-5 rating in three games. The Huskies will need similar performances from their star to reach the promised land this season.

Cold team: Montreal Juniors

Life after Jake Allen has proven much more difficult than the Juniors had hoped. Montreal has not won since a shocking 6-4 decision over powerhouse Saint John in late January, a streak spanning five games. The Juniors still have home ice advantage in the first round within grasp, as they are now two points back of Gatineau for second in the Telus Western Division.

Cold player: Gabriel Bourque, Moncton Wildcats

The steady, two-way forward had a poor week by his standards. Although not a big-time point producer, Bourque was held off the score-sheet in all three games and was a minus-3. His substandard week is not a reason for concern, as Bourque will likely be crucial to Moncton's success down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Game of the week: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles vs. Saint John Sea Dogs, Friday

The Screaming Eagles will get the ultimate test in measuring their success when they take on the Sea Dogs for the first of two meetings this week. Cape Breton made a splash on the trade-front with the acquisition of Jacob Lagacé from Chicoutimi. Lagacé failed to make an impact with the Screaming Eagles in the first meeting with the Sea Dogs in a 3-1 loss on Jan. 8. The Sea Dogs continue finding ways to win, defeating both Halifax and Moncton in shootouts last week. The league's top team has a commanding lead in the Atlantic Division with 89 points.

Ontario Hockey League

Hot team: Kingston Frontenacs

The Frontenacs continue to quietly enjoy success in the mediocre Eastern Conference. Kingston won its last three games, defeating Niagara, Peterborough and Guelph to jump a point ahead of the Petes for fourth in the conference standings. Although they're just a game above .500, it could be good enough to earn home ice in the opening round of the playoffs.

Hot player: Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes

The Petes are receiving immediate dividends from the sixth-overall pick in last May's priority selection. Puempel, who is being touted as a potential top 10 pick in the 2011 National Hockey League draft, scored once and assisted on four more in two games last week. He is three points shy of a point a game pace in his rookie season.

Cold team: Sarnia Sting

Although they played just once last week, the Sting continues searching for their first win in 2010. Sarnia dropped a 5-3 decision to Owen Sound on Friday, giving them a winless streak now 14 games. It won't get much easier to find that first win with games against Sault Ste. Marie, Guelph and Plymouth this week.

Cold player: Andrew Loverock, Sudbury Wolves

The overage goaltender struggled in two losses against Sault Ste. Marie and Mississauga. Loverock was beat on six-of-25 shots for a .760 save percentage. Although his numbers were poor, his backup, Alain Valiquette, was just as unreliable with a .719 save percentage on the week. Sudbury will need more consistency in goal to qualify for the post-season.

Game of the week: Mississauga St. Michael's Majors vs. Barrie Colts, Saturday

The Majors and Colts will meet for the sixth and final time this season in a tilt of the Eastern Conference's top two powers. Barrie holds the slight edge in the season series to date with a 3-2 record against the Majors. Mississauga defeated the Colts in a shootout on Thursday, proving they are a legitimate threat to the East's top team. Barrie, however, has a stranglehold on the conference's top seed with a 13-point gap.